Penn. dad accused of killing infant son says his foot got caught in bag and he fell on the baby

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. (TCD) -- A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder and other crimes after his 11-week-old son was found unresponsive and later died.

According to court records, Jordan Clarke was indicted on counts of criminal homicide, aggravated assault with attempts to cause serious bodily injury, aggravated assault on a victim less than 13, endangering the welfare of children, and aggravated assault of victim less than 6. The alleged incident occurred May 23.

Trib Live, which cites court documents, reports Peters Township Police responded to Clarke's home on Pleasantview Drive at 9 p.m. on May 23 because they received a report about an unresponsive infant. Officers reportedly located Clarke in the living room with his son, who was not breathing and reportedly had a blue hue to his skin.

The little boy, who was not identified, was flown to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he was pronounced dead May 24.

Clarke's sister reportedly told police she did not witness what happened, but that she heard Clarke yell, "Call 911," WPXI-TV reports.

The criminal complaint, which is also cited by WPXI, says doctors noted the infant's injuries were "gravely concerning for physical abuse."

The doctor also said the little boy "has no evidence of underlying medical condition which would result in these injuries."

Clarke allegedly told police he was carrying his son while trying to get a bottle of formula, but his foot got caught in a bag, so he fell with his child in his arms and landed on top of him.

According to WPXI, the doctor, however, noted, "This constellation of injures is not consistent with the provided history that this child’s father fell onto him from a standing height."

The little boy reportedly suffered subdural hematomas on both sides of his brain, retinal hemorrhages in both eyes, and likely fractured tibias.

Clarke is being held without bail.

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